GDT: Russia Vs USA - 12/25 - 9:30 PM ET - TSN/NHLN

[Czechboy]

Hope Knight gets another chance. Wolf is excellent but I'm a big Knight fan. Not his best night at all. US needs to stop passing to the Russians. Askarov has made a lot of saves but seems to not always know where the puck is. He looked much calmer in the exhibition against Canada.

I watched the Russians at the Karlaja and they just a nice smooth flow to them. They look good and have definitely capitalized on a few nice breaks.

 

[Fatass]

Caufield had absolutely no hustle coming back there

I really like Turcott. The guy plays as hard without the puck, as he does with it.

 

[Timeless Winter]

Men vs boys.

 

[CupofOil]

Really REALLY impressed by Russia. Very well coached team, physical, defensively sound. They play a very good TEAM game, very pro approach to the way they play.
They've largely shut down the two most talented teams in this tournament thus far.

 

[The Burdened]

When Brink & Kaliyev have been the forwards who have had the best scoring chances, that's a problem.
Caufield, Zegras, and Turcotte need to get it together and make something happen.

 

[Svedu]

Ah, here come the bold "it's in the bag" comments already.

Only took 2 periods for some people to start making their medal calls, classic hf

Russia was my bet before the tournament. Saw them in Karjala and thought directly they are underrated as hell. Canada is up there with them, but Sweden without their best players and Finland as well, it's between two countries and that was my opinion before the tournament.

Russia are schooling USA right now. They are a much better unit but not only that, the players actually look a lot more promising on individual level as well. I would choose Khusnutdinov before Caufield all day, everyday. Amirov too.

 

[ORRFForever]

Cole's been the best player on US so far. Driving the play every time he's on the ice.

???

Are you sure you're being objective?

 

[NorCalhockey]

One thing I learned about the world juniors, is this game is not even remotely close to being over, 4-1 leads are literally nothing in the world juniors

Yes, but here’s the thing: based on how they’ve played (except for Caufield other star players haven’t shown up) combined with crappy defense, US hasn’t shown me they’re capable of getting a come from behind victory in this game.

 

[Canucks LB]

???

He is not wrong, Cole has been the best player on USA

 

[Big Empty]

Agreed and Zegras started to turn it around towards the latter half of the 2nd, but Sanderson and Knight have been god awful.

Zegras/Turcotte/Caufield line had some dominant shifts.

 

[Atas2000]

Volk replacing Rytzar says the Russian play by play guy literally translating American names

Why? It's fun. Afanasiev has literally the same name as Athanasiou. Just fun facts

 

[Fatass]

Agreed. Caufield is all flash no substance, Zegras has been invisible as has Turcotte.

Some guys don’t like playing through contact. I don’t see that in Turcott’s game though.

 

[ViD]

Askarov’s stickhahdling might be better than Shestyorkin’s. Simply amazing

 

[habsrule4eva3089]

Podkolzin always grabbing not the enemy player but the Russian player during scrums to prevent them from taking any penalty. Good captain.

 

[DramaticGloveSave]

Why cuz he's not back checking .. no that's just his thing

Physically lol he looks like he’s 230 lbs and not in a good way.

 

[KaseMeOutside]

When Brink & Kaliyev have been the forwards who have had the best scoring chances, that's a problem.
Caufield, Zegras, and Turcotte need to get it together and make something happen.

Turcotte started to pick it up but loading up one line on a team of grinders is a tough way to win

 

[Canadienna]

???

Are you sure you're being objective?

Caufield has been the best forward on the US. Are you sure you are?

Are you watching?

 

[ORRFForever]

He is not wrong, Cole has been the best player on USA

Maybe it's just a low bar but I've seen a lot of pucks bouncing over his stick.

 

[ViD]

I like Russian defensive efforts so far but I think our offense is still underperforming.

The third and fourth goals were gifts from the Americans and Russian Christmas is still two weeks away.

 

[NinjaKick]

you can tell Askarov has a high compete level... really like his puck handling and desperation saves as well

 

[Canadienna]

Maybe it's just a low bar but I've seen a lot of pucks bouncing over his stick.

It's not a low bar, he's been good.

You just have a grudge against him which is clear from your posts.

 

[ORRFForever]

Caufield has been the best forward on the US. Are you sure you are?

Are you watching?

Everyone is saying he is so I won't argue. Again, maybe it is just a low bar but I seen him mishandle a lot of pucks, tonight.

 

[Fatass]

He is not wrong, Cole has been the best player on USA

With the puck on his stick, yes Cole has been very good. How much of his ice time though does he actually have the puck on his stick? 5%? I prefer Turcott’s complete game right now. But Cole could pop a hatty in the third.

 

[tictactoe]

Reminds me of a young Price (maybe that's a good thing lol)

Always looking behind him

I thought Price was better player at that age and if I am not mistaken was MVP but besides the point was not as shaky.

 

[Northerner]

I blame all these California players. Not enough Northerners on the team.